Adjustable punch holder



March 22, 1966 A. M. PUTETT, i 3,241,353

ADJUSTABLE PUNCH HOLDER Filed Oct. '7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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illmlsi I i :37 Ill ATTORNEY March 22, 1966 A. M. PUTETTI 3,241,353

ADJUSTABLE PUNCH HOLDER Filed oct. v, 196s 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR W #1.9mm

RMMDeiU ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,241,353 ADJUSTABLE PUNCH HLDER Anthony M. Putetti, Waterbury, Conn., assigner to Textron Inc., Providence, RJ., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Oct. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 314,475 9 Claims. (Cl. 72-481) This invention relates Ito headers or like machines wherein one or more dies are carried by the frame of a machine and a plurality of punches are mounted on the gate of the machine to reciprocate with the gate toward and from the dies. The invention is specifically directed to means for adjusting the positions of the punches relative to the dies. While not so li-mited, the invention may be advantageously employed in a machine called a twoblow header wherein a single die is adapted to sequentially cooperate with two punches for performing two separate heading operations in the single die.

It is, of course, known that when a header is set up, the punches must be properly positioned with respect to the dies so that the punches and dies are in axial alignment when cooperating with one another. In the twoblow header, means are provided to shift the punches transversely so that first one punch and then the other punch is in axial alignment with the single die. In such a situation, the alignment of each punch with the single die is made more diicult by the shiftability of the punches. One of the major problems in assuring Ithe axial alignment of the punches is the accessibility of the punch mounting to the operator. Whether the machine be a vertical or horizontal header, the provision of the numerous mechanical elements place working space at a premium. Visibility, as well as accessibility are usually hampered in machines of this type and this is particularly true in double-blow headers where punch-shifting mechanisms must be provided cooperating with the means mounting the punches to the gate of the header.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide improved means for adjusting the position of a plurality of punches carried by a machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvi-ous and will in part be apparent from the speciiication. f Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, each punch is carried by a punch holder which is mounted to a carrier member through an intermediate member. The punch holder may move in one direction with respect to the carrier member, while the intermediate member may move in a perpendicular direction with respect to the carrier member. Means are provided for causing finite incremental movement in the separate directions so that each punch may be adjusted, within limits, in any direction in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the punch. Means are further provided for locking the punches in the adjusted position.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following descrip-tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an adjustable punch holder constructed in accordance with the invention, with a punch being shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the adjustable punch holder of FIG. 1 with an adjusting wrench being shown in phantom; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable punch holder of FIG. 1.

For ease of illustration, the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings and to be hereafter described is adapted for incorporation in the double-blow header shown and described in United States Patent 2,983,152 issued to R. F. Mitchell et al. on May 9, 1961. In this patent, the punches 88 and 89 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as mounted to a carrier member 92 which is shiftable with respect to the gate 50. Rather than show a complete machine, the disclosure in the aforementioned patent is incorporated herein for environmental purposes, with the carrier member 11 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 being the equivalent of carrier member 92, most clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the aforementioned patent. However, it is to be understood that the invention herein is not limit/'d for use with a double-'blow header or for use only with two punches.

Referring now to the drawings in this case, a carrier member 11 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 12 for xedly mounting the carrier member to th gate or other suitable member of a machine. Of course, if the punches are to be shiftably carried by the gate, then carrier member 11 would be mounted through mounting holes 12 to another member which would be slidable with respect .to the gate. A groove 13 is carried by lthe outer face 14 of carrier member 11. A block 15 is attached to outer face 14, one on each side of groove 13 which, in effect, bisects the carrier member. A threaded aperture 16 passes through each of blocks 15, the cent-ral axis of the threaded aperture being parallel to the longitudinal axis of groove 13. Four studs 17 extend outwardly from carrier member 11.

A pair of intermediate plates 18 and 19 ovenlie outer face 14 in side-by-side relationship. Left plate 18 is provided with a tongue 21 adapted to be received in the left half of groove 13. Right plate 19 is provided with a tongue 22 adapted to be received in the right half of groove 13. It will immediately be seen that with the plates overlying the outer face of the carrier member and tongues 21 and 22 received in groove 13, each of plates 18 and 19 may move with respect to carrier member 11 only along a line panallel to the longitudinal axis of groove 13. Each of plates 18 and 19 is provided with oversized apertures 23 through which extend studs 17. While the cooperation between studs 17 and oversized apertures 23 do not prevent relative movement of the plates and the carrier member, they do limit such movement. Mounted for free rotation within each of the intermediate plates 18 and 19 is an adjusting bolt 24 extending parallel to tongues 21 and 22. A cover plate 25 is secured to each of the intermediate plates over the heads of adjusting bolts 24 to permit them to be freely rotated while limiting axial movement thereof. Each cover plate is provided with an aperture 26 disposed over the head of the respective bolts 24 to permit rotation of the bolts through the head of the cover plates. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that this may be readily accomplished by means of an Allen wrench if socket head bolts are utilized.

As best shown in FIG. 2, intermediate plates 18 and 19 lare mounted to carrier member 11 in Contact with outer face 14. Tongues 21 and 2.2-1ie in groove 13 with adjusting bolts 24 threaded into the threaded apertures 16 in blocks 15. Since each block 15 is xedly secured to carrier member y11, and since axial movement of adjusting bolts 24 is prevented by cover plates 25, the rotation of one of the bolts 24 will cause the intermediate plate in which the bolt is mounted to move with respect to carrier member 11 along the line parallel to groove 13. Linear movement is assured by the cooperation of the tongues on the intermediate plates with the groove in the carrier member.

Each of the outer faces 27 and 28 of the intermediate plates 18 and 19 is provided with a tongue 31 and 32. Tongues 31 and 32 are preferably in end-to-end alignment and extend perpendicular to tongues 21 and 22 on the opposite faces of intermediate plates. Each face 27 and 28 of the intermediate plates is provided with a groove 33 and 34 extending perpendicular to tongues 31 and 32. In each of the grooves is slidably mounted an L-shaped block 35 and 36. The leg of each L-shaped block is provided with a threaded aperture 37 adapted to threadedly engage a bolt 38 mounted for free rotation in the cooperating intermediate plate. Bolts 38 are also captured by cover plates 2S so they may not move axially with respect to the intermediate plates in which they are mounted. As shown specifically in FIG. 2, bolts 38 may also be rotated by means of an Allen wrench 39, shown in phantom, through apertures 26 positioned over the heads of bolts 38. It will thus be seen that rotation of a bolt 38 causes sliding movement of the associated L-shaped block along a line perpendicular to tongues 31 and 32. Secured to each of L-sliaped blocks 35 and 36 are substantially rectangular blocks 41 and 42 whose use will be hereafter described.

Individual punch holder plates are provided for mounting the punches to the machine. Left punch holder 43 is provided with an aperture 44 in which a punch is mounted. Likewise, right punch holder 45 is provided with an aperture 46 in which a punch is mounted. A typical punch 47 is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. Since the means for holding the punch in the punch holder forms no part of the invention, such means are not shown. It will be understood that any suitable means may be provided. The inner faces of each of the punch holders 43 and 45 are provided with grooves 48 and 49 adapted to receive the respective tongues 31 and 32 on the intermediate plates. Also, each of the inner faces of the punch holders is provided with grooves 51 and 52 adapted to receive blocks 41 and 42 mounted to the L-shaped blocks. Grooves 51 and 52 are inclined at an angle other than 90 to grooves 48 and 49. While the angle of grooves 51 and 52 is not critical, it will be seen that the side of blocks 41 and 42 which will engage the walls of grooves 51 and 52 must be secured to the L-shaped blocks at the same angle. Punch holders 43 and 45 are also provided with oversized apertures 23 through which freely pass studs 17.

When assembled, the inner faces of punch holders 43 and 45 contact the outer faces 27 and 28 of the intermediate plates with tongues 31 and 32 being received in grooves 48 and 49 and blocks 41 and 42 being received in grooves 51 and 52. Rotation of either one of bolts 38 Will cause the associated L-shaped block to move parallel to the axis of the bolt and cause the block 41 or 42 mounted thereon to move in its associated groove. As block 42, for example, moves upward in groove 52, the cooperation between the groove and the block will urge punch holder 45 to move toward the left. Because of the cooperation of tongue 32 and groove 49, the punch holder will move along the line of the groove perpendicular to the permissive movement of intermediate plate 19 with respect to carrier member 11. Reverse movement of bolt 38 will cause block 42 to move downwardly, thus causing punch holder 45 to move toward the right. Movement of punch holder 43 is effected in a similar manner through the bolt 38 cooperating with L-shaped block 35.

A plurality of nuts S3 are adapted to be threaded onto studs 17. When nuts 53 are tightened down, relative movement ot' the elements heretofore described is prevented.

It is thus seen that the position of each of the punches mounted in the respective punch holders may be simply and accurately adjusted. Once nuts 53 are loosened, access need only be had to the apertures 26 through cover plate 25. The bolts in each of the intermediate plates provide for movement of a punch holder with respect to the carrier member along perpendicular lines in a single plane. By this means, the punch holder can be adjusted to any position, within limits, in the plane. Once a punch holder is adjusted to the desired position, the locking of nuts 53 will hold it at the adjusted position during the forming operations.

lf desired, suitable indicia may be marked on the heads of bolts 24 and 38 and on the cover plates to correlate incremental arcuate rotation of the bolts with incremental linear movement of the punch holders.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efciently attain-ed and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

it is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable punch holder comprising a base plate, an intermediate plate slidably mounted to said base plate, tirst tongue and groove means acting between said base plate and said intermediate plate to allow relative movement of said base and intermediate plates only along the line parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first tongue and groove means, iirst positive drive means acting between said base plate and said intermediate plate for adjusting the relative positions of said plates, a punch plate slidably mounted to said intermediate plate, second tongue and groove means acting between said intermediate plate and said punch plate to allow relative movement of said intermediate and punch plates along the line parallel to the longitudinal axis of said second tongue and groove means and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said first tongue and groove means, and second positive drive means acting between said intermediate plate and said punch plate for adjusting the relative position of said intermediate and punch plates.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and further including locking means for locking all plates relative to one another.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said rst positive drive means comprises a block secured to said base plate, a bolt mounted for free rotation in said intermediate plate, the threaded end of said bolt threadedly engaging said block, and means for preventing axial movement of said bolt relative to said intermediate plate.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said second positive drive means comprises a groove in said intermediate plate extending perpendicular to said second tongue and groove means, an L-shaped block slidably mounted in said groove, a bolt mounted for free rotation in said intermediate plate parallel to said groove, the threaded end of said bolt threadedly engaging said L- shaped block, means for preventing axial movement of said bolt relative to said intermediate plate, a groove in said punch plate extending obliquely to said second tongue and groove means, and a guide block secured to said L-shaped block and having opposite sides thereof inclined at the same angle as said groove in said punch plate for engagement therewith of said inclined block.

5. An adjustable punch holder comprising a base plate, an intermediate plate slidably mounted to said base plate, a groove in said base plate, a first tongue on said intermediate plate adapted to be received in said groove to allow relative movement of said base and intermediate plates only along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of said groove in said base plate, a threaded block projecting from said base plate toward said intermediate plate, `a first bolt rotatably mounted in said intermediate plate and threadedly engaging said threaded block, means on said intermediate plate for preventing axial movement of said first bolt relative to said intermediate plate, a second tongue on said intermediate plate, said second tongue extending perpendicular to said iirst tongue on the side of the intermedi-ate plate opposite to the side from which said iirst tongue projects, a groove in said intermediate plate extending perpendicular to said second tongue, an L-shaped member slidably mounted in said groove, a second bolt rotatably mounted in said intermedi-ate plate parallel to said iirst bolt, said -second bolt threadedly engaging said L-shaped member, said means preventing axial movement of said iirst ybolt relative to said intermediate plate also preventing axial movement of said second bolt relative to said intermediate plate, said means permitting rotation of said bolts by means of an external member, a punch plate slidably mounted to said intermediate plate, a rst Igroove in said punch plate extending parallel to and adapted to lreceive said second tongue on said intermediate plate, a second groove in said punch plate extending obliquely to said first groove, and a guide block secured to said L-shaped member having opposed sides extending obliquely thereto at the same angle as said second groove in said punch plate, said guide block being adapted to be received in said second groove.

6. The structure dened in -claim 5 and further including locking means for locking all plates relative to one another.

7. The structure defined in claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises an oversized aperture in said punch plate, an oversized laperture in said intermediate plate, said apertures being in substantial axial alignment, and tightening means extending through said oversized apertures and secured in said 'base plate for selectively locking said punch plate and said intermediate plate to said base plate.

8. The structure defined in claim 5 wherein said means for preventing axial movement `of said first and second bolts comprises a cover plate secured to said intermediate plate overlying the heads of said bolts, said cover plate being provided with apertures therethrough to provide access to the heads of said bolts.

9. Means for mounting and providing individual adjustment of `a plurality of punches in `a machine comprising a base plate, a plurality of intermediate plates slidably mounted to said base plate, one intermediate plate being provided for each punch, first tongue and groove means acting between said base plate and each of said intermediate plates to allow relative movement of said base plate yand an intermediate plate only along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rst tongue and groove means, iirst positive drive means acting between said `base plate and each of said intermediate plates for adjusting the relative position of the intermediate plates relative to said base plate, a plurality of punch plates slidably Imounted to said intermediate plates, a punch plate being provided for each of the punches, second tongue and groove means acting between each intermediate plate and punch plate to allow relative movement of said intermediate :and punch plates only along -a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of said second tongue and groove means and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said first tongue and groove means, second positive drive means -acting between each pair of cooperating intermediate and punch plates for adjusting the relative position of said plates, and locking means cooperating with each pair of intermediate and punch plates for locking said plates to said base plates.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,646,145 10/ 1927 Gray 83-700 2,165,424 6/1939 Tomalis lO-24 2,658,574 ll/ 1953 Slettengren 83-700 2,983,152 5/1961 Mitchell 74-38 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE PUNCH HOLDER COMPRISING A BASE PLATE, AN INTERMEDIATE PLATE SLIDABLY MOUNTED TO SAID BASE PLATE, FIRST TONGUE AND GROOVE MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID BASE PLATE AND SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATE TO ALLOW RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID BASE AND INTERMEDIATE PLATES ONLY ALONG THE LINE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST TONGUE AND GROOVE MEANS, FIRST POSITIVE DRIVE MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID BASE PLATE AND SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATE FOR ADJUSTING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID PLATE, A PUNCH PLATE SLIDABLY MOUNTED TO SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATE, SECOND TONGUE AND GROOVE MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATE AND SAID PUNCH PLATE TO ALLOW RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID INTERMEDIATE AND PUNCH PLATES ALONG THE LINE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SECOND TONGUE AND GROOVE MEANS AND PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST TONGUE AND GROOVE MEANS, AND SECOND POSITIVE DRIVE MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATE AND SAID PUNCH PLATE FOR ADJUSTING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID INTERMEDIATE AND PUNCH PLATES. 